Funny Personality Traits – It’s OK to Laugh

Have a laugh at common behaviors in the Four Directions:

---

The Forward Direction:
You know that friend who, when you casually mention an idea, is already off like a shot before you’ve finished the sentence? They’re like, “Why wait? Let’s just get it done.” The Forward direction is all about momentum. If they see a roadblock, they don’t stop—they plow through it, sometimes before anyone else even realizes it’s there.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Forward direction emphasizes action, progress, and moving ahead. Those who align with the Forward direction tend to be decisive, proactive, and solution-oriented. They prefer to tackle issues head-on and keep things moving rather than dwelling on details or potential obstacles. Understanding this direction helps clarify why some people are always pushing for the next step, even when others are still planning. Forward types are the doers, the ones who believe there’s no time like the present. They’re always ready to take action and keep things moving.

The Reserved Direction:
We all know that one person who takes their time with decisions—they’re not in a rush because they’re thinking, weighing, and analyzing. While the rest of us are running around, they’re quietly assessing all options. The Reserved direction is like the person who reads every Yelp review before picking a restaurant—just to be sure.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Reserved direction is focused on reflection, caution, and thoroughness. Those who lean toward this direction prefer to take their time with decisions and value considering all perspectives before acting. They’re patient and careful, often taking a step back to ensure the right course of action is chosen. Understanding this direction helps explain why some people prefer a slower, more deliberate approach to solving problems or making changes. Reserved types are the thinkers, the ones who prefer to take a step back, reflect, and make sure everything is considered before jumping in.

The Practical Direction:
Picture the person who gets a new phone and immediately reads the entire user manual, while you’re playing with all the new features and letting “AI” set it up. This is the person who says, “Let’s focus on what really matters,” and they’re not talking about your feelings—they’re talking about whether the Wi-Fi is working. The Practical direction is all about results, and if something doesn’t serve a purpose, they’re the first to cut it out.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Practical direction emphasizes logic, facts, and efficiency. People who lean toward the Practical direction tend to prioritize functionality and problem-solving. They prefer to focus on tangible outcomes and are often the ones keeping everyone on task. Understanding this direction helps clarify how someone approaches challenges—they want clear, actionable steps, not a philosophical debate. Practical types are the ones who skip the chit-chat and get straight to fixing things, with an eye on results and efficiency. They’re your “cut-to-the-chase” people.

The Interpersonal Direction:
You ever meet someone who knows everyone’s name, their birthdays, and probably their dog’s favorite snack? These are the folks who believe that no matter what the project is, it’s the people that really matter. They’re the ones making sure everyone feels included and heard, even if the deadline is in five minutes. The Interpersonal direction is about relationships, connection, and making sure we’re all in this together.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Interpersonal direction focuses on people, communication, and relationships. People who naturally gravitate toward this direction prioritize creating harmony and understanding in their interactions. They thrive on connection and often bring empathy and collaboration to the table. Understanding this direction helps in recognizing why some people place a high value on the emotional or social aspects of situations. Interpersonal types are the connectors—they care deeply about relationships and making sure everyone feels involved and heard. They’re the glue that holds teams together.

---

 

A “Ha-Ha” with our 5 Main Types (H.E.A.D.S.):

---

H: Harmonic Type (Balanced in all directions, ‘Objectively Balanced’):
This person is like the Switzerland of people—balanced in every way, they somehow manage to be everyone’s friend without taking sides. In a heated debate, they’re the one saying, “Let’s see both sides of this,” and somehow, everyone just calms down.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Harmonic type maintains an even balance between forward, reserved, practical, and interpersonal directions. They’re adaptable and tend to fit seamlessly into various environments, able to see different perspectives without becoming too attached to any one side. In the workplace, they can serve as neutral mediators and stabilizers.

E: Empathic Type (Reserved + Interpersonal, ‘Amiably Supportive’):
Picture someone who quietly remembers everyone’s birthday, asks how your weekend was, and makes sure no one feels left out. They’re not the loudest in the room, but they’re the one making sure you’re okay when you’re having a bad day—whether you ask for help or not.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Empathic type is reserved and interpersonal. They build relationships quietly and are often the emotional support in their social circles. They’re patient listeners who excel at offering care and understanding in subtle but meaningful ways. In group settings, their presence keeps things harmonious without drawing too much attention.

A: Autocratic Type (Forward + Practical, ‘Decisively Compelling’):
Imagine someone who sees a problem, points at it, and says, “This is how we fix it,” and then they get to work. They aren’t interested in long discussions—they’ve got the solution, and you’d better get on board because they’re already halfway done.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Autocratic type is forward and practical, thriving on decisive action and tangible results. They are natural leaders who focus on efficiency and getting things done, often preferring to handle situations directly and with authority. In professional settings, they excel at cutting through indecision and driving projects forward with confidence.

D: Dynamic Type (Forward + Interpersonal, ‘Personably Engaging’):
You know that one friend who’s always organizing the next big thing, whether it’s a party, a charity event, or a spontaneous weekend getaway? That’s the Dynamic type—they’re always in motion, rallying people to their cause with infectious energy.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Dynamic type combines forward momentum with interpersonal skills. They’re charismatic and driven, always pushing for progress while ensuring everyone feels involved. Their energy can uplift teams, and they excel at rallying people toward a common goal, using both enthusiasm and connection to lead.

S: Static Type (Reserved + Practical, ‘Systematically Regulated’):
They’re the ones with the meticulously organized to-do list, who take pride in planning for every scenario—probably with a color-coded binder to match. Nothing rattles them because they’ve already thought five steps ahead and are ready for whatever comes next.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
The Static type is reserved and practical, focusing on order, systems, and consistency. They prefer routines and structured environments, excelling at creating stability and ensuring everything runs smoothly. In teams, they bring a calm, methodical approach to problem-solving, preferring to stick to proven methods and reliable results.

---

 

Have a laugh in each of the 6 Areas:

---

1. Contemplation (Internal Communication):
Imagine you’re at a brainstorming session in your own head. One voice is going, “Let’s get this done today!” Another is saying, “Whoa, slow down, let’s think this through.” And then there’s that third voice—probably with a coffee mug—just saying, “I need five more minutes of peace before we start this.” Welcome to Contemplation, where your internal dialogue ranges from organized to a committee meeting that should’ve been an email.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Contemplation refers to your inner dialogue—the way you process thoughts, make decisions, and reflect on things privately. Are you the type who quickly reaches conclusions and takes decisive action (forward), or do you take your time, weighing all possibilities (reserved)? By understanding your natural behavior in Contemplation, you gain insight into your decision-making process, whether you’re an instinctive thinker or someone who carefully evaluates every option.

2. Connection (External Communication):
You ever meet someone who just starts talking—about their day, their cat’s day, and the meaning of life—and you realize you’ve been standing there for 15 minutes, nodding? And then there’s the other side: the person who gives you two-word answers, and you’re like, “Are we even having a conversation?” Connection is all about whether you’re the storyteller or the one who’s counting how many words you’ve said all week.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Connection is how you communicate with others. Are you interpersonal, building rapport and enjoying deep conversations, or more practical, sticking to the facts and keeping things concise? Knowing your style of Connection helps you align your communication with your true self, improving how you engage with people in both personal and professional settings.

3. Command (Influence Demonstrated to Others):
There’s always that one person who walks into a room and suddenly they’re in charge—of everything. They don’t even need to raise their voice; it’s like they’ve got this invisible gavel and everyone just starts listening. On the flip side, you’ve got the quiet influencer—the one who sits back and lets their eyebrow raise do the talking. That’s Command: are you the captain of the ship, or more like the wind guiding the sails without anyone noticing?

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Command reflects how you demonstrate influence and take charge. Are you forward, openly leading and directing others, or reserved, influencing more subtly? Understanding your authentic style in Command helps you recognize how you step into leadership roles, whether you’re more of a visible director or a background orchestrator.

4. Cooperation (Influence Received from Others):
Ever been in a group project where one person has an idea, and the rest of you are just nodding along, internally screaming, “No, that’s a terrible idea,” but you still go with it? Then there’s the other group where you calmly but firmly redirect things to sanity. That’s Cooperation—sometimes you’re go-with-the-flow, and sometimes you’re holding the line with a diplomatic smile.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Cooperation is about how you respond to others’ influence. Do you easily adapt and go along with suggestions (interpersonal), or do you prefer to stick to your own approach and keep things practical? Recognizing your authentic style in Cooperation ensures you’re interacting with others in a way that feels natural, whether you’re someone who tends to accommodate or someone who maintains independence in a group setting.

5. Closeness (Relationships):
You’ve got the friend who wants to chat every day, and then there’s you, sitting there like, “We just talked last month, isn’t that enough?” Some people want constant connection, while others believe in quality over quantity. Closeness is basically deciding if you’re up for daily heart-to-hearts or a quarterly catch-up over coffee.

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Closeness measures your approach to relationships. Are you more forward, seeking frequent interactions and deep connections, or reserved, preferring fewer but meaningful bonds? Understanding your authentic behavior in Closeness helps you manage your relationships in a way that feels fulfilling without overextending or under-investing.

6. Contribution (Teamwork):
You know that moment in group work when one person is assigned all the tasks because they’re the only one who can finish them? That’s Contribution. Some people jump in and get things done, while others hang back, maybe bringing snacks but contributing in less direct ways (hey, snacks are important too).

Learning/Teaching Moment:
Contribution reflects how you participate in teamwork. Are you practical, focused on getting results and staying efficient, or interpersonal, ensuring the team is cohesive and everyone’s on the same page? By understanding your authentic behavior in Contribution, you can balance your role in teams, making sure your involvement matches your natural strengths without unnecessary stress.